3 Bootcamp-Tested Tips for No-Brainer Tech Hires

Flatiron School is an outcomes-focused coding bootcamp that offers Full Stack Web Development and iOS Development programs on its NYC and online campuses. Flatiron School has led the bootcamp industry on outcomes, backing its 98% job placements rate and $75k starting salary with annual independently-verified jobs reports. Flatiron School also offers several free introductory courses, including Bootcamp Prep, and Certificate courses on their online campus. Flatiron School's flagship,... (View In-Depth Report)

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2017/02/12

Over four years of helping more than 98% of our graduates launch careers in tech, Flatiron School has developed a keen understanding of what it takes to get hired in tech – both on our end and what our students are empowered to do on theirs.

While we’ve collected our job search wisdom and proven best practices in our new eBook, How to Be a No-Brainer Tech Hire, we took a deeper dive into a few specific points in a recent live session with Rebekah Rombom, Flatiron’s VP of Career Services. Below, you’ll find the top three questions from that event along with Rebekah’s tips.

1. How do you start building a network in tech?

Networking is both an art and a science – and it’s the most common thing we work on with students starting their job search. We have our go-to tactics, but you’ll also encounter tons of unique situations. There are two key points to keep in mind to build your tech network:

Aim to make real human connections.Go to places where people you want to meet are and talk to them. Show real interest in what they’re doing. Ask them questions about themselves before you ask for something in return. Figure out who they are, what gets them excited. That’s the best way to start building a network.

Start with people you’re close to.We think of networking as concentric circles. If your aunt has a connection to the tech industry, sit her down and pick her brain! What is the tech industry? How do people there communicate? As you tap those close contacts who will be friendly and excited to help you out no matter what you give them in return, you’ll find yourself going further and further out from your original network to people who may be closer and closer to the tech industry. But by starting with those close to you, by the time you get to those outer circles, you’ve already gotten your feet wet and have a much better idea of how to run these discussions.

2. How do you leverage a previous non-technical career in a technical job search?

That’s a great question! Most Flatiron students are switching careers and most don’t have previous experience in software engineering. It’s up to a school and a student to partner to figure out how to make that transition.

If you’re considering a career switch or how to position yourself having only recently acquired technical skills, there’s one thing to keep in mind: employers value your past experience. You bring something unique and can be additive to their teams.

Applying to a music company? Maybe you used to be a musician and can bring that perspective. Applying to a dev shop and the engineering team is getting big? Maybe you used to be a project manager in your former career and have lots of experience communicating the right information and writing robust documentation – you can help with that even as you add value with your core function as an engineer.

We help students craft their narrative about their previous career and why that’s relevant to new career. Don’t hide your past experience if it isn’t technical. Find a way to work it in; spotlight why it’s valuable

3. How do you keep your job search organized?

It’s really important to track your progress in a job search. Keep tabs on everyone you’ve talked to, every conversation you’ve had, the date it happened, and the next steps. It’s important to know that as a job seeker, it’s always your responsibility to initiate the next step. The ball is never not in your court. If a company hasn’t gotten back to you, it’s your job to get back to them in a week. If you’re waiting on an offer and it hasn’t come in yet, it’s your job to check in and suggest a salary range.

At Flatiron School, we’ve built a job search tracker tool for our students. It’s essentially a light CRM – students put all the activities they do as job seekers and our tool tallies that against what we recommend they do each week. But really any spreadsheet will do as long as you have a way to understand exactly the conversations you have going on, what’s gone on in past conversations, and when it’s your responsibility to move the ball forward with those discussions.

This was easily the best money I've ever spent. It prepared me for a new career, they helped me find a job, and provided a great supportive thoughtful environment. I tried to learn on my own for years but never really got anywhere. The curriculum they give and camaraderie they foster made it so I could put all of my energy into it and get a lot out of the experience.